Collaboration aims to create smart mobility solutions that puts people first, connects communities and generates shared value.
Urban-Air Port Ltd and Hyundai Air Mobility (a Hyundai Motor Group division) have announced a partnership to explore new, purpose built, multifunctional and scalable infrastructure to enable Urban Air Mobility (UAM) – urban transportation systems to move people and cargo by air. Hyundai plans to invest $1.5B in UAM over the next five years to create an air vehicle and the supporting mobility ecosystem for UAM operations.
Hyundai forecasts the air mobility market will be worth nearly $1.5T over the next 20 years. While vehicle development is crucial and underway, an urgent need for appropriate ground infrastructure remains one of the biggest constraints on the growing sector, according to NASA and industry leaders.
As part of Hyundai Motor Group, our Air Mobility division is intent on supporting the development of human-centred cities through innovation,” said Dr. Jaiwon Shin, Head of Hyundai Air Mobility.
Hyundai’s and Urban-Air Port’s goals in this partnership are fully aligned – transforming cities for the better by creating a versatile infrastructure that enables future mobility, vitalizes urban communities, and expands access to transportation services and the green economy.
Pamela Cohn, COO of Hyundai Air Mobility, said
There is often a strong focus on the vehicles, but without coordination and investment in other parts of the ecosystem, UAM is just a flying science project. Infrastructure is one of the crucial areas of the broader ecosystem that will bring aerial mobility to communities around the world. We are excited to partner with Urban-Air Port and UK communities to explore what this infrastructure of the future will look like.”
Hyundai’s ambition for a future mobility ecosystem is evidenced by this partnership; adding infrastructure to their existing industry partnerships. The Urban-Air Port® design has a 60% smaller footprint than a traditional heliport or nearest-state-of-the-art ‘vertiports’, allowing for quick and easy installation in space-limited urban sites. Its modular flat-pack structure results in a cost-effective, transportable and rapidly deployable new form of infrastructure. Providing both passenger/cargo processing/amenities and vehicle charging/maintenance facilities within its ultra-compact form.
Ricky Sandhu, CEO of Urban-Air Port said
We are extremely proud to announce our partnership with Hyundai Air Mobility as we embark on bringing together world-class electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle OEMs, passenger and logistics service operators and our physical & digital infrastructure in our unique, flexible and sustainable turn-key “Air-OneTM ” approach that we believe will help unlock and propel a clean, future UAM mobility ecosystem both here in the UK and around the world for multiple sectors.”
Hyundai Air Mobility and Urban-Air Port plan to invest in development of a full-scale prototype for live eVTOL demonstrations. Two UK cities have already signed on to support development in 2021, including what will be UK’s 1st, Coventry in the West Midlands, which will host UK City of Culture 2021 and the Commonwealth Games.
About Urban-Air Port Ltd
Urban-Air Port Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of small. (Six Miles Across London Limited). small. consists of a group of UK based Urban DeepTech companies focusing on Future Mobility; Urban.AV (Autonomous Vehicles), Urban.MASS (Mass Transit) and Urban-Air Port. Key people at Urban-Air Port are Ricky Sandhu: Founder + CEO, Adrian Zanelli: CFO + CDO and Alan Jones: CTO.
Images courtesy of Hyundai Air Mobility